Animals offering a helping paw

There are several ways to deal with stress, but sometimes four paws are suggested to help out.

BYU-Idaho has several students who have an emotional support animal or comfort animals. These animals provide help to those students who need a little more support during their time hereat BYU-I.

Italian researchers from the University of Florence did a study on the effect animal-assisted therapy had on children and adolescents with acute mental disorders, according to Science Direct, alibrary database.

This study showed that animals improved the social skills and school attendance of those who were struggling.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, animals can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and feelingsof loneliness.

Briley Allen, a freshman studying dance, lives in the NorthPoint apartments. Her cat, Blizzard, is her emotional support animal. She got him this past September inIdaho Falls.

“It’s helped a lot and I really like having something to take care of,” Allen said. “It helps me in different ways, and you’re never alone.”

Allen said her grades have improved since having Blizzard. When she does homework, Blizzard sits with her and keeps her motivated to push through.

She said BYU-I does not have a standing on the distribution of emotional support animals, but there are many students who have emotional support animals in their apartments.

“BYU-Idaho Counselors do not support students’ request to obtain special authorization for support animals,” said Gwenaelle Couliard a BYU-I counselor.

Allen said she wishes the school was able to issue emotional support animals because it would really help the apartment process.

According to the Mountain Lofts housing office, there is no specific amount of money it costs to clean a pet owned apartment at the end of a semester, but there are some damages that occur.

Hannah Bauguess, a senior studying animal science, lives in The Towers apartments. Her emotional support animal is her black lab, Scout.

Bauguess got Scout in Idaho Falls two years ago, after her doctor gave her the option of getting an emotional support animal.

“It was not really easy getting Scout into the apartments since they were only open for their second semester,” Bauguess said.” They had never really dealt with a dog before, so we figured it out together.”

Bauguess said Scout helps with her stress and keeps her calm.

Pets can also increase opportunities for exercise, outdoor activities and socialization, according tothe CDC.